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toofondofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the first two books in this series so have been eagerly anticipating this next book and I’m so happy to say that I loved Containment every bit as much, if not even more, than the previous two. I adore Sam Shephard, she’s now one of my most favourite characters ever and I love spending time with her and finding out what she’s up to!
Containment is a brilliant crime novel. Sam finds herself in the midst of having to police looting on a beach after a cargo ship runs aground and containers are washed ashore. This leads to her being assaulted and then soon after finding herself investigating what happened to a man found dead in the water. This is only the start of the story though!
Alongside her work Sam is trying to figure out her love life and I found Sam so relatable. She’s involved with a man who really likes her and she likes him but still she just can’t quite commit. She’s not sure, and she’s not sure why she’s not sure. At times I wanted to shake her and tell her to give him a chance but at the same time I could totally see why she was reluctant. I also love Sam’s friendship with Maggie, they’re so close and Maggie can be brutally honest with Sam but she loves her regardless of whether she agrees with her not. It makes me wish I had a Maggie in my life!
There is a character in this book who has obvious physical disabilities and I loved his scenes with Sam. We live in a very politically correct world but people who aren’t disabled don’t always take account of how disabled people see themselves or how they’re happy to be seen by others. I found him, and how he was written, so refreshing and so brilliant. Bravo to Vanda for this!
I love Vanda Symon’s writing – she captures people in such a believable and real way. Whilst Sam is high as a kite on pain meds there are some scenes that had me properly laughing out loud, yet it never takes away from the seriousness of what is happening. I adore writing that captures life like this.
The setting of Vanda Symon’s novels are so brilliantly described too. She brings Dunedin, and in this novel Aramoana to life for me. I’ve never been to New Zealand but I can envisage the places so clearly, Vanda’s writing makes a movie in my head and now I feel like I’ve been there!
Containment is a brilliant crime novel – it has darkness and humour, brilliant characters and fabulous writing! I highly recommend this book (and the whole series)!
This review was originally posted on my blog https://rathertoofondofbooks.com
Containment is a brilliant crime novel. Sam finds herself in the midst of having to police looting on a beach after a cargo ship runs aground and containers are washed ashore. This leads to her being assaulted and then soon after finding herself investigating what happened to a man found dead in the water. This is only the start of the story though!
Alongside her work Sam is trying to figure out her love life and I found Sam so relatable. She’s involved with a man who really likes her and she likes him but still she just can’t quite commit. She’s not sure, and she’s not sure why she’s not sure. At times I wanted to shake her and tell her to give him a chance but at the same time I could totally see why she was reluctant. I also love Sam’s friendship with Maggie, they’re so close and Maggie can be brutally honest with Sam but she loves her regardless of whether she agrees with her not. It makes me wish I had a Maggie in my life!
There is a character in this book who has obvious physical disabilities and I loved his scenes with Sam. We live in a very politically correct world but people who aren’t disabled don’t always take account of how disabled people see themselves or how they’re happy to be seen by others. I found him, and how he was written, so refreshing and so brilliant. Bravo to Vanda for this!
I love Vanda Symon’s writing – she captures people in such a believable and real way. Whilst Sam is high as a kite on pain meds there are some scenes that had me properly laughing out loud, yet it never takes away from the seriousness of what is happening. I adore writing that captures life like this.
The setting of Vanda Symon’s novels are so brilliantly described too. She brings Dunedin, and in this novel Aramoana to life for me. I’ve never been to New Zealand but I can envisage the places so clearly, Vanda’s writing makes a movie in my head and now I feel like I’ve been there!
Containment is a brilliant crime novel – it has darkness and humour, brilliant characters and fabulous writing! I highly recommend this book (and the whole series)!
This review was originally posted on my blog https://rathertoofondofbooks.com
judefire33's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Vanda Symon has done it again with Containment!
Another rollicking thrill ride thru Sam Shepherds car crash of a life in New Zealand as a Trainee Detective, it starts out with a bang....and end with one! Brilliantly written as always, hilariously funny, sometimes shocking, fantastic plot and realistic chrachters and setting....I am a real fan of the Sam Shepherd series and Vanda Symon is mighty talented at writing these. I can't wait for the next one!
Another rollicking thrill ride thru Sam Shepherds car crash of a life in New Zealand as a Trainee Detective, it starts out with a bang....and end with one! Brilliantly written as always, hilariously funny, sometimes shocking, fantastic plot and realistic chrachters and setting....I am a real fan of the Sam Shepherd series and Vanda Symon is mighty talented at writing these. I can't wait for the next one!
stephen1308's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
This was an intelligently written police procedural which begins a little slowly before developing into an intriguing mystery. One crime leads to another as we follow protagonist DC Sam Shephard during a complex case that the author conveys in meticulous detail throughout.
It is actually the third book in a series, but despite that it works well as a standalone and there was never a moment where I needed to have read the previous two instalments to understand what was going on. This was also the first book I have read to be set in New Zealand, and I really appreciated the way it was used to bring an added sense of context to the story.
The case here begins when a ship runs aground and spills a number of the containers it was carrying, which leads to widespread looting. As she attempts to restore order, DC Shephard is assaulted by a young man and is forced to take a week away from work to fully recover.
Upon her return, she is asked to investigate the discovery of a body found at sea and soon finds that this person had been murdered at around the same time as the shipwreck. As the case progresses and throws up some interesting coincidences, Sam becomes very personally involved to the extent that she puts her career on the line.
Once it got going, I was fairly immersed in the plot and liked the fact that a lot of attention was given to each aspect of the case. However, for a crime novel it was not the kind of book that kept you guessing and although there were several characters involved there were hardly any clues to speak of that pointed to who might be the killer. I managed to guess correctly, but that was not down to any powers of deduction on my part!
The ending itself is very dramatic, and a lot is crammed in to the final few pages. It left me feeling that only half of the case had been solved and there were still some questions left unanswered. Of course, that might be something for the next book in the series, but I would have preferred to know the full picture of what happened in that last chapter.
Yet in many ways, the book is less about the case and more about Sam. She is a strong female protagonist, and it is her narration that carries you through.The way it is written made me feel as if I was living inside her mind, such was the clarity with which all of her thoughts and emotions were relayed, and I liked how this brought a great deal of depth to her character.
Although she did have one or two negative traits, I did quite like Sam. As a narrator, she was entertaining and witty with a sharp turn of phrase that did make me laugh on some occasions. Indeed, that was probably the aspect of the book that contains the most enjoyment. On the other hand, the sections about her personal life were an unwelcome sub-plot.
Another thing I slightly disliked was Sam having a rude and unreasonable boss in the police force, which for me was cliched and became a bit tiresome. Apart from DI Johns, the secondary characters were well developed and through Sam's eyes they brought something unique to the story.
The writing is continually impressive in the way it captures Sam's point of view and shows plenty of sides to her character. It is clear just from reading the prologue that Vanda Symon can paint a picture with words, but she also brings an attention to detail and an injection of humour that is never very far away.
Overall, this was a descriptive though generally fast-paced book that brought together an intricate case and an interesting protagonist who had a very distinctive voice. There were some issues relating to the ending and the sub-plots, and I would not completely describe it as a thriller, but the writing is still extremely good and it held my attention right through to the end.
This was an intelligently written police procedural which begins a little slowly before developing into an intriguing mystery. One crime leads to another as we follow protagonist DC Sam Shephard during a complex case that the author conveys in meticulous detail throughout.
It is actually the third book in a series, but despite that it works well as a standalone and there was never a moment where I needed to have read the previous two instalments to understand what was going on. This was also the first book I have read to be set in New Zealand, and I really appreciated the way it was used to bring an added sense of context to the story.
The case here begins when a ship runs aground and spills a number of the containers it was carrying, which leads to widespread looting. As she attempts to restore order, DC Shephard is assaulted by a young man and is forced to take a week away from work to fully recover.
Upon her return, she is asked to investigate the discovery of a body found at sea and soon finds that this person had been murdered at around the same time as the shipwreck. As the case progresses and throws up some interesting coincidences, Sam becomes very personally involved to the extent that she puts her career on the line.
Once it got going, I was fairly immersed in the plot and liked the fact that a lot of attention was given to each aspect of the case. However, for a crime novel it was not the kind of book that kept you guessing and although there were several characters involved there were hardly any clues to speak of that pointed to who might be the killer. I managed to guess correctly, but that was not down to any powers of deduction on my part!
The ending itself is very dramatic, and a lot is crammed in to the final few pages. It left me feeling that only half of the case had been solved and there were still some questions left unanswered. Of course, that might be something for the next book in the series, but I would have preferred to know the full picture of what happened in that last chapter.
Yet in many ways, the book is less about the case and more about Sam. She is a strong female protagonist, and it is her narration that carries you through.The way it is written made me feel as if I was living inside her mind, such was the clarity with which all of her thoughts and emotions were relayed, and I liked how this brought a great deal of depth to her character.
Although she did have one or two negative traits, I did quite like Sam. As a narrator, she was entertaining and witty with a sharp turn of phrase that did make me laugh on some occasions. Indeed, that was probably the aspect of the book that contains the most enjoyment. On the other hand, the sections about her personal life were an unwelcome sub-plot.
Another thing I slightly disliked was Sam having a rude and unreasonable boss in the police force, which for me was cliched and became a bit tiresome. Apart from DI Johns, the secondary characters were well developed and through Sam's eyes they brought something unique to the story.
The writing is continually impressive in the way it captures Sam's point of view and shows plenty of sides to her character. It is clear just from reading the prologue that Vanda Symon can paint a picture with words, but she also brings an attention to detail and an injection of humour that is never very far away.
Overall, this was a descriptive though generally fast-paced book that brought together an intricate case and an interesting protagonist who had a very distinctive voice. There were some issues relating to the ending and the sub-plots, and I would not completely describe it as a thriller, but the writing is still extremely good and it held my attention right through to the end.
raven88's review against another edition
4.0
Right where are we off to now on another global crime adventure- New Zealand that’s where, and into the world of Detective Constable Sam Shephard, where a seemingly simple case of container looting, leads to a whole heap of trouble for this sassier than your average cop…
Containment marks the third outing for DC Sam Shepard (following Overkill and The Ringmaster) and it’s good to see our female cop has lost none of her gumption and slightly gung-ho attitude in the interim. From getting physically assaulted at the opening of the book, Shepard is once again steaming in to perilous situations, getting right up the nose of her superior officer, and having a fairly intense crisis of confidence in both her love life, and with some unwelcome news about one of her nearest and dearest. I think Shephard’s character is what really engages the reader throughout the series, as she is so utterly believable, whether giving as good as she gets with the ribaldry of her mostly male police colleagues, or just going above and beyond in her investigations. What she so evidently displays is that no investigation is black and white, and that a slightly less dogmatic and more considered approach is the most useful way to unlock people and what they may be concealing. She often sees ‘both sides of the coin’ in terms of those she interacts with, be they colleague, friend, victim or perpetrator and a touching affinity with the underdog. There’s a lovely quote in the book, where Sam says, “If I thought about it, I’d spent my entire life trying to save things…Sam Shepard champion to the underdog…Policing was the perfect profession for someone like me. You got paid to save people, fix problems.” I love the close up of her life that Symon seems to blanket us in, be it as a female detective, a friend, a lover, a concerned daughter, and at times just one of the boys, joshing on, and fearlessly (and sometimes thoughtlessly) putting herself into the same level of physical danger as her male colleagues. She is a wonderfully well-rounded character, with an endearing amount of flaws and Symon really connects her to the reader.
Symon’s writing has a real rhythm and fluidity , and carries the reader along on a sea of humour, action and waves of human emotion from the intensely confrontational to the deeply personal, but never at the expense of the natural unfolding of what is essentially a police procedural. The interludes of humour are perfectly placed to connect the reader more with the police protagonists, and to accentuate the fact that these are just ordinary people doing a relatively thankless job, and having their own worries and pressure points. There at petty rivalries but also some deep seated loyalties, and I do like the way that Symon’s plays with the notion of ‘honour amongst thieves’ in terms of the less law abiding characters. Although, I felt some aspects of the plot were a little weaker than the previous books, Symon’s aptitude for colourful, believable characterisation across the board, and sublime dialogue gives the reader a real momentum as the investigation unfolds. If you haven’t had the pleasure of checking this series out yet, I would definitely give it a whirl, as Symon’s writing and in particular her pithy wit is akin to such stalwarts of the genre as Grafton’s Kinsey Milhone and Janet Evanovich with a beautiful New Zealand twist. Recommended.
Containment marks the third outing for DC Sam Shepard (following Overkill and The Ringmaster) and it’s good to see our female cop has lost none of her gumption and slightly gung-ho attitude in the interim. From getting physically assaulted at the opening of the book, Shepard is once again steaming in to perilous situations, getting right up the nose of her superior officer, and having a fairly intense crisis of confidence in both her love life, and with some unwelcome news about one of her nearest and dearest. I think Shephard’s character is what really engages the reader throughout the series, as she is so utterly believable, whether giving as good as she gets with the ribaldry of her mostly male police colleagues, or just going above and beyond in her investigations. What she so evidently displays is that no investigation is black and white, and that a slightly less dogmatic and more considered approach is the most useful way to unlock people and what they may be concealing. She often sees ‘both sides of the coin’ in terms of those she interacts with, be they colleague, friend, victim or perpetrator and a touching affinity with the underdog. There’s a lovely quote in the book, where Sam says, “If I thought about it, I’d spent my entire life trying to save things…Sam Shepard champion to the underdog…Policing was the perfect profession for someone like me. You got paid to save people, fix problems.” I love the close up of her life that Symon seems to blanket us in, be it as a female detective, a friend, a lover, a concerned daughter, and at times just one of the boys, joshing on, and fearlessly (and sometimes thoughtlessly) putting herself into the same level of physical danger as her male colleagues. She is a wonderfully well-rounded character, with an endearing amount of flaws and Symon really connects her to the reader.
Symon’s writing has a real rhythm and fluidity , and carries the reader along on a sea of humour, action and waves of human emotion from the intensely confrontational to the deeply personal, but never at the expense of the natural unfolding of what is essentially a police procedural. The interludes of humour are perfectly placed to connect the reader more with the police protagonists, and to accentuate the fact that these are just ordinary people doing a relatively thankless job, and having their own worries and pressure points. There at petty rivalries but also some deep seated loyalties, and I do like the way that Symon’s plays with the notion of ‘honour amongst thieves’ in terms of the less law abiding characters. Although, I felt some aspects of the plot were a little weaker than the previous books, Symon’s aptitude for colourful, believable characterisation across the board, and sublime dialogue gives the reader a real momentum as the investigation unfolds. If you haven’t had the pleasure of checking this series out yet, I would definitely give it a whirl, as Symon’s writing and in particular her pithy wit is akin to such stalwarts of the genre as Grafton’s Kinsey Milhone and Janet Evanovich with a beautiful New Zealand twist. Recommended.
karlou's review against another edition
5.0
While so many of us are currently contained in our homes to one extent or another, we can at least travel the world through books and so I was delighted to be transported to Dunedin in New Zealand and reunited once again with Detective Constable Sam Shephard. The Containment of the title refers not to people on lockdown or a disease-management strategy but to the shipping containers that wash up on the shore when a cargo ship runs aground off the coast at Aramoana. With scores of locals claiming salvage rights, the beach is soon full of desperate people hoping to strike lucky. However, a shocking discovery means the police are called for and Sam is one of the first on the scene.
Sam refuses to let her small stature or gender stand in her way but a violent altercation leaves her physically and emotionally battered and during the course of this novel it's frequently fascinating to witness the more vulnerable aspects of her character. This is perhaps most obvious in her relationship with Paul when her issues with commitment means she risks what seems to be a really good chance of happiness with a decent, loving man. She has her flaws; most notably her inability to express her emotions calmly and she has a very short fuse but these are such regular foibles, it means she is a far more believable character than the archetypal tortured detective.
The strong characterisation is a real highlight of Vanda Symon's writing with each member of the cast being vividly brought to life, not least Sam's petty, odious boss, Jack. He continues to find ways to belittle her and to try and hinder the progression of her career, and for the most part, he's the sort of character readers love to hate. Fortunately, she has a better relationship with many of her other colleagues. It's the closeness she shares with Maggie that I enjoy most, however. Maggie is exactly the warm, supportive yet unflinchingly honest person that Sam needs in her life and though she may struggle to commit romantically, this loving friendship demonstrates she is able to form some long-term relationships.
The witnesses and suspects who she crosses paths with during the course of Containment are equally as well rendered. The discovery of a body brings her into contact with some of Dunedin's student population but some prove to be frustrating leads, with their laissez-faire attitudes meaning their knowledge of their friends' whereabouts are somewhat hazy. The sense of place is always a highlight of this series, particularly when it comes from the spoken word and the names the some of the students are known by reflects the Kiwi propensity for employing nicknames. Many are the 'Jonesyfying' type, where an 'ey' sound is added to the end of a surname but a few are much more memorable, especially Frog and Spaz. As a person with cerebral palsy, Spaz's nickname is decidedly un-PC and it's something that Sam struggles with until she gets to know him and discovers his reasons for preferring - and therefore reclaiming - what is of course, often a horribly offensive term. Spaz is a wonderful character; his disabilities are a part of who he is without defining him and he is also fiercely intelligent, with a wicked sense of humour.
The strong characterisation is matched by the perplexing mystery which presents Sam and her colleagues with so many difficulties - although Tamsin, a doctorate microbiology student with a particularly niche area of study involving the submersion of pigs' heads, is able to provide some invaluable (and scientifically authentic) forensic information regarding the timeline of events. The dry humour that runs throughout Containment is perhaps most evident in some of the more gruesome scenes and though a strong stomach is clearly required for certain aspects of this investigation, the morbid jokes reveal the protective mechanisms used by those whose work involves the darker side of life. There is a powerful emotional core to the story throughout; there are dramatic scenes of nerve-jangling tension, some more lighthearted parts and a few heartrendingly sad moments - the repercussions of which will undoubtedly be felt by Sam as this compelling series continues.
Although this is the third Sam Shephard novel, it can easily be enjoyed as a standalone. However, as always, I would recommend reading the previous books - not only to fully understand the development of the returning characters but because these are great stories! Containment has a beautifully structured, perfectly paced plot which consistently surprised me, and with characters who leap from the page, this is crime fiction which couldn't fail to keep me utterly engrossed from the atmospheric, startling prologue through to an epilogue which promises so much - both professionally and personally for Sam - in the next book. I can't wait to read it but in the meantime, I cannot recommend Containment highly enough, I loved it!
Sam refuses to let her small stature or gender stand in her way but a violent altercation leaves her physically and emotionally battered and during the course of this novel it's frequently fascinating to witness the more vulnerable aspects of her character. This is perhaps most obvious in her relationship with Paul when her issues with commitment means she risks what seems to be a really good chance of happiness with a decent, loving man. She has her flaws; most notably her inability to express her emotions calmly and she has a very short fuse but these are such regular foibles, it means she is a far more believable character than the archetypal tortured detective.
The strong characterisation is a real highlight of Vanda Symon's writing with each member of the cast being vividly brought to life, not least Sam's petty, odious boss, Jack. He continues to find ways to belittle her and to try and hinder the progression of her career, and for the most part, he's the sort of character readers love to hate. Fortunately, she has a better relationship with many of her other colleagues. It's the closeness she shares with Maggie that I enjoy most, however. Maggie is exactly the warm, supportive yet unflinchingly honest person that Sam needs in her life and though she may struggle to commit romantically, this loving friendship demonstrates she is able to form some long-term relationships.
The witnesses and suspects who she crosses paths with during the course of Containment are equally as well rendered. The discovery of a body brings her into contact with some of Dunedin's student population but some prove to be frustrating leads, with their laissez-faire attitudes meaning their knowledge of their friends' whereabouts are somewhat hazy. The sense of place is always a highlight of this series, particularly when it comes from the spoken word and the names the some of the students are known by reflects the Kiwi propensity for employing nicknames. Many are the 'Jonesyfying' type, where an 'ey' sound is added to the end of a surname but a few are much more memorable, especially Frog and Spaz. As a person with cerebral palsy, Spaz's nickname is decidedly un-PC and it's something that Sam struggles with until she gets to know him and discovers his reasons for preferring - and therefore reclaiming - what is of course, often a horribly offensive term. Spaz is a wonderful character; his disabilities are a part of who he is without defining him and he is also fiercely intelligent, with a wicked sense of humour.
The strong characterisation is matched by the perplexing mystery which presents Sam and her colleagues with so many difficulties - although Tamsin, a doctorate microbiology student with a particularly niche area of study involving the submersion of pigs' heads, is able to provide some invaluable (and scientifically authentic) forensic information regarding the timeline of events. The dry humour that runs throughout Containment is perhaps most evident in some of the more gruesome scenes and though a strong stomach is clearly required for certain aspects of this investigation, the morbid jokes reveal the protective mechanisms used by those whose work involves the darker side of life. There is a powerful emotional core to the story throughout; there are dramatic scenes of nerve-jangling tension, some more lighthearted parts and a few heartrendingly sad moments - the repercussions of which will undoubtedly be felt by Sam as this compelling series continues.
Although this is the third Sam Shephard novel, it can easily be enjoyed as a standalone. However, as always, I would recommend reading the previous books - not only to fully understand the development of the returning characters but because these are great stories! Containment has a beautifully structured, perfectly paced plot which consistently surprised me, and with characters who leap from the page, this is crime fiction which couldn't fail to keep me utterly engrossed from the atmospheric, startling prologue through to an epilogue which promises so much - both professionally and personally for Sam - in the next book. I can't wait to read it but in the meantime, I cannot recommend Containment highly enough, I loved it!
jess_reads_books's review against another edition
5.0
Chaos has taken over the beach of the sleepy village town of Aramoana on the New Zealand coast. A series of shipping containers have washed up on shore as the result of a container ship getting stuck. Looters have emerged from all over the local area to take whatever they can get their hands on. Detective Constable Sam Shephard happens to be in Aramoana trying to get in a bit of relaxation when she is called to the scene. While trying to break up a fight between two scavengers, Sam finds herself the target of their anger and winds up in an ambulance with her assailant.
The situation appears to be an obvious case of a cargo ship running aground until a body in a wetsuit is found floating in the water by a group of fisherman. It seems this diver didn’t drown. As first officer at the scene, much to the displeasure of her superiors, Sam is given the task of investigating this case. Clues start to unravel after the identification of this mystery man, but nothing is adding up. One thing is clear and that’s that more lives may be in danger. Can Sam solve the case before anyone else ends up dead?
CONTAINMENT is the third installment in Vanda Symon’s excellent Sam Shephard series. This is easily one of my favorite series reads, as Symon can always be counted on to give the reader an exciting case in the hands of an easy to love main character. Symon doesn’t fall into the stereotypical pitfalls of an unreliable or troubled detective with Sam Shephard, but gives her reader a strong female lead. Sam is incredibly relatable with her vulnerabilities and hardheaded attitude to solving cases. You can feel how she genuinely cares about what she is investigating, which also helps to bring the reader a connection to the case at hand.
As with the first two installments of this series, Symon gives the reader an intricately layered case to investigate alongside Sam. I love how these cases always start out seemingly small, but grow to something much larger. Symon always immediately draws me in with the smaller investigation and then blows me away with where she takes things! I loved every bit of the case within CONTAINMENT. Everything from the characters to Sam’s interaction with her team flowed perfectly to bring the book to life.
If I haven’t sold you on Sam Shephard or the case within this book, then let me rave about the atmospheric quality to this story. I’ve never been to New Zealand, but I feel like I was transported to Dunedin and Aramoana thanks to Symon’s vivid descriptions within CONTAINMENT. I love when authors write about small towns because it’s so easy to provide meticulous details of the area without making it feel unnecessary.
I’m purposefully trying to be vague about the plot within this review because I would hate to spoil any bit of this story! If you haven’t already started this series I highly recommend starting from the beginning, however, this book could easily work as a stand-alone read. If you’re looking for a read to sweep you away and hook you from the start, you must add CONTAINMENT to your TBR!
A huge thank you to Orenda Books for my free copy of this book!
The situation appears to be an obvious case of a cargo ship running aground until a body in a wetsuit is found floating in the water by a group of fisherman. It seems this diver didn’t drown. As first officer at the scene, much to the displeasure of her superiors, Sam is given the task of investigating this case. Clues start to unravel after the identification of this mystery man, but nothing is adding up. One thing is clear and that’s that more lives may be in danger. Can Sam solve the case before anyone else ends up dead?
CONTAINMENT is the third installment in Vanda Symon’s excellent Sam Shephard series. This is easily one of my favorite series reads, as Symon can always be counted on to give the reader an exciting case in the hands of an easy to love main character. Symon doesn’t fall into the stereotypical pitfalls of an unreliable or troubled detective with Sam Shephard, but gives her reader a strong female lead. Sam is incredibly relatable with her vulnerabilities and hardheaded attitude to solving cases. You can feel how she genuinely cares about what she is investigating, which also helps to bring the reader a connection to the case at hand.
As with the first two installments of this series, Symon gives the reader an intricately layered case to investigate alongside Sam. I love how these cases always start out seemingly small, but grow to something much larger. Symon always immediately draws me in with the smaller investigation and then blows me away with where she takes things! I loved every bit of the case within CONTAINMENT. Everything from the characters to Sam’s interaction with her team flowed perfectly to bring the book to life.
If I haven’t sold you on Sam Shephard or the case within this book, then let me rave about the atmospheric quality to this story. I’ve never been to New Zealand, but I feel like I was transported to Dunedin and Aramoana thanks to Symon’s vivid descriptions within CONTAINMENT. I love when authors write about small towns because it’s so easy to provide meticulous details of the area without making it feel unnecessary.
I’m purposefully trying to be vague about the plot within this review because I would hate to spoil any bit of this story! If you haven’t already started this series I highly recommend starting from the beginning, however, this book could easily work as a stand-alone read. If you’re looking for a read to sweep you away and hook you from the start, you must add CONTAINMENT to your TBR!
A huge thank you to Orenda Books for my free copy of this book!
bookertsfarm's review
4.0
When I agreed to be a part of the Containment blog tour, I had no idea it was the third book in a series. I'm pretty anal about reading books in order but I'm thrilled to say reading this our of order worked out perfectly fine for me and has actually prompted me to go back and look up the first two.
Detective Constable Sam Shephard is dog sitting for a family friend when a large shipping boat wrecks along the shoreline of Anamoana, off of New Zealand, spilling shipping containers along the beach. People rush to the chaotic scene - some to see what has happened, some to help contain the scene and some to loot the containers. Sam ends up at the scene trying to help but ends up getting assaulted instead. Let's just say a lot of people on the scene end up with more than they've bargained for. Soon a body is found in the sea and the case only ends up uncovering more disturbing facts about the case.
I really feel in love with Sam. She is not the most favorite detective on the squad as some are skeptical about how she rose within the ranks so quickly. Luckily she is teamed with a great partner and they form a bond which is rather familial. There is also a great supporting case built around Sam with her roommate and her boyfriend Paul. Sam is independent but realizes she's a bit of a "saver" which comes back to bite her when dealing with the current case. Sam also meets a wonderful yet annoying college student, Spaz, who is an integral part in the current case and he added a nice comedic relief to a rather intense case. I also love that same reviews to her boss as Dick Head, which honestly, describes him quite succinctly.
I flew through Containment and couldn't wait to see how everything linked together. I will admit that at times, things seemed to be falling too conveniently into place, but that was really my only issue with the book. I'm definitely going to be looking into the first two book in this series as I'm curious about what I might have missed about Sam's background. That being said, I was able to jump right into this book and it flowed extremely well, given that it's part of a series. If you enjoy great characters and a good police procedural, then you'll want to give Containment a go.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Detective Constable Sam Shephard is dog sitting for a family friend when a large shipping boat wrecks along the shoreline of Anamoana, off of New Zealand, spilling shipping containers along the beach. People rush to the chaotic scene - some to see what has happened, some to help contain the scene and some to loot the containers. Sam ends up at the scene trying to help but ends up getting assaulted instead. Let's just say a lot of people on the scene end up with more than they've bargained for. Soon a body is found in the sea and the case only ends up uncovering more disturbing facts about the case.
I really feel in love with Sam. She is not the most favorite detective on the squad as some are skeptical about how she rose within the ranks so quickly. Luckily she is teamed with a great partner and they form a bond which is rather familial. There is also a great supporting case built around Sam with her roommate and her boyfriend Paul. Sam is independent but realizes she's a bit of a "saver" which comes back to bite her when dealing with the current case. Sam also meets a wonderful yet annoying college student, Spaz, who is an integral part in the current case and he added a nice comedic relief to a rather intense case. I also love that same reviews to her boss as Dick Head, which honestly, describes him quite succinctly.
I flew through Containment and couldn't wait to see how everything linked together. I will admit that at times, things seemed to be falling too conveniently into place, but that was really my only issue with the book. I'm definitely going to be looking into the first two book in this series as I'm curious about what I might have missed about Sam's background. That being said, I was able to jump right into this book and it flowed extremely well, given that it's part of a series. If you enjoy great characters and a good police procedural, then you'll want to give Containment a go.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
daniellelouis_'s review
5.0
Let’s talk about our wonderful protagonist Sam Shepherd first, never have I been so happy to finally meet a character – because I am terrible and have yet to read the first two in the series (Containment is a great stand alone, but don’t do a me, start at the beginning) but i’ll be rectifying this – maybe with a #SymonSunday for Orentober? Anyway, let’s get back to Sam, she’s an absolute pleasure of a literary companion. Not only is she smart, hilarious and independent, too much so maybe, but she’s also flawed and filled with empathy, DC Shephard isn’t a DC Hardnut but rather a kind individual who is both aware of her feelings, and not. She isn’t perfect and that is what I adore. Vanda has created a character who is identifiable, who is difficult not to love and one whose voice you can vividly hear in your head as you read.
So, that prologue *wow*, I was instantly coaxed into a chaotic scene, one that you know isn’t going to be easy going and plain sailing. A beach, the wreckage of washed ashore cargo and a stampede of onlookers fighting over the swept up loots – sprinkle in a bit of gasping violence and my heart belonged to this criminal tale. I sped through the pages of Containment while adrenaline surged, utterly gripped and struggling to not read ‘one more chapter’ when I had things to do, it was difficult. The ripples of the initial incident is the basis of the book, a brilliant police procedural that has layers of research smoothed in between the fictional storylines – especially that research surrounding the events of a death! We all know that authors research a number of things for their books but i’m always in awe of their dedication, Vanda’s dedication to the authenticity of her procedural plotline made me super happy!
The whole of Containment was enjoyably addictive with its taut chapters and the inclusion of Sam’s complicated personal life, I highly (shout from the roof tops highly) recommend this book AND the series because Vanda’s writing is just so fantastically on point. I also now need to try a Toffee Pop!
So, that prologue *wow*, I was instantly coaxed into a chaotic scene, one that you know isn’t going to be easy going and plain sailing. A beach, the wreckage of washed ashore cargo and a stampede of onlookers fighting over the swept up loots – sprinkle in a bit of gasping violence and my heart belonged to this criminal tale. I sped through the pages of Containment while adrenaline surged, utterly gripped and struggling to not read ‘one more chapter’ when I had things to do, it was difficult. The ripples of the initial incident is the basis of the book, a brilliant police procedural that has layers of research smoothed in between the fictional storylines – especially that research surrounding the events of a death! We all know that authors research a number of things for their books but i’m always in awe of their dedication, Vanda’s dedication to the authenticity of her procedural plotline made me super happy!
The whole of Containment was enjoyably addictive with its taut chapters and the inclusion of Sam’s complicated personal life, I highly (shout from the roof tops highly) recommend this book AND the series because Vanda’s writing is just so fantastically on point. I also now need to try a Toffee Pop!
the_coycaterpillar_reads's review
4.0
Just when you felt like the Crime Fiction genre was becoming over populated with not much variation or uniqueness to the storyline…BANG. Containment. Vanda Symon hits you straight between the eyes for a killer blow. It was a refreshing change to be transported some idyllic. You know what they say – a change is as good as a rest. Aramoana Beach. Just uttering those words feels tranquil. Set the scene. Golden sands, turquoise seas, glittering horizons, the sun beating down on your chest, the warmth between your toes. Sounds heavenly, doesn’t it? Be prepared to have that dream shattered when a cargo ship blights that landscape. Things get out of control when rational human beings start to loot, start to become violent. Things get out of hand. Oh, but if you try to maintain the law, you get the living crap kicked out of you. Let me introduce to you, Sam Shepherd.
Containment is the building blocks of betrayal and grief. With two deep motivators it is extremely refreshing to have some necessary humour injected into its essence. Sam doesn’t take herself too seriously and I had moments of laughing when I wasn’t sure it was appropriate to do so. The author makes you grapple with the two extremes of devastation and hope.
Sam is a DC with the Dunedin police force. She’s competent, motivated and will do anything to get the job done. She’s a girl after my own heart, she tends to self-sabotage her own life, but the stubbornness is strong in this one. Sometimes all she needs is a good talking to. Brilliant professionally, not so great personally.
The plot was watertight. A body has been discovered off the island, appearances suggests it’s been submerged some time. The body isn’t in good condition and they are going to need some good luck to extract a fingerprint to ID the body. Sam’s ability to rub up her superiors the wrong was as led to this fun excursion. DI Johns is a mean, grumpy old stickler and I’ve found myself growing an ever-increasing distaste of his methods. The troubling relationship was written authentically without forcing the information on the reader.
Containment often felt like a fog descending. The twists kept on creeping up when you least expected it. Little niggles, a finely painted parallel, the author grabs you by the jugular and fights to maintain control. The control the author held over me was immense. A magnet focussed on its target. Try as I may I was never going to put that book down. Containment was an assault on my senses. It was mystifying, and nothing was sugar-coated.
Containment is a lesson in vulnerability and tenacity. Blind alleys to trip you up and a beautiful vista to keep you guessing. Vanda Symon’s prose is to die for!
Thanks to Anne Cater @ Random Things Tours for my spot on the blog tour.
Containment is the building blocks of betrayal and grief. With two deep motivators it is extremely refreshing to have some necessary humour injected into its essence. Sam doesn’t take herself too seriously and I had moments of laughing when I wasn’t sure it was appropriate to do so. The author makes you grapple with the two extremes of devastation and hope.
Sam is a DC with the Dunedin police force. She’s competent, motivated and will do anything to get the job done. She’s a girl after my own heart, she tends to self-sabotage her own life, but the stubbornness is strong in this one. Sometimes all she needs is a good talking to. Brilliant professionally, not so great personally.
The plot was watertight. A body has been discovered off the island, appearances suggests it’s been submerged some time. The body isn’t in good condition and they are going to need some good luck to extract a fingerprint to ID the body. Sam’s ability to rub up her superiors the wrong was as led to this fun excursion. DI Johns is a mean, grumpy old stickler and I’ve found myself growing an ever-increasing distaste of his methods. The troubling relationship was written authentically without forcing the information on the reader.
Containment often felt like a fog descending. The twists kept on creeping up when you least expected it. Little niggles, a finely painted parallel, the author grabs you by the jugular and fights to maintain control. The control the author held over me was immense. A magnet focussed on its target. Try as I may I was never going to put that book down. Containment was an assault on my senses. It was mystifying, and nothing was sugar-coated.
Containment is a lesson in vulnerability and tenacity. Blind alleys to trip you up and a beautiful vista to keep you guessing. Vanda Symon’s prose is to die for!
Thanks to Anne Cater @ Random Things Tours for my spot on the blog tour.
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